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Free safety check at a garage costs a grand

A few months ago I was sent a letter from Martins of Camberley who are the main dealer for VW in the area, offering a "free" safety check for my car which I have had serviced there before.

Little did I know that not only was I going to get the car back in a different condition, but I would also be presented with a quote for nearly £1000 for repairs that were unnecessary.  Interesting thing was, when I took the car to another mechanic I was told different story.

First of all, the plastic cover, which is located under the oil sump, was screwed on with just one screw and fell off on the motorway.  When I told Martins about it they told me that the car probably only had one screw.

If that were the case surely it would have been brought up in the free safety check.  They wanted to charge me £30 for a new set of screws and that excluded the labour costs.  Secondly, the electronic central locking on my second key was not functioning.  They suggested I pay £150 to get a new one.

My other mechanic told me that if I kept the functioning key in my pocket to mobilise the car and use the non-functioning one in the ignition the key would charge up and be functional again.  It works fine now and I didn’t spend a penny. The staff at Martins are all con artists in my opinion.

Finally, I was told that unless I did some major repairs to the CV joints the car would not pass its MOT.  It past first time and the steering not only works perfectly but also was never even questioned by the inspector.

Needless to say I will not be going back to Martins VW in Camberley due to the poor service and dishonest customer staff.  Who ever is in charge of CRM in this organisation needs to sort out their act.

By: Wingman

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Our company bought two new vans from Abridge VW.(transporter 2.5L) They were sent to be serviced and new cambelts fitted when the mileage was near. Within a week both vehicles broke the belts and destroyed the engines. We complained and was told that we had to specify that new cambelt tensioners should be fitted and the fault was ours. We trust that a main agent could do the work but we did not expect that we should tell them how to do it. They refused to have anything to do with us and we had to wait two months for new engines at around £4000.00 each.
Do not trust ABRIDGE ENGINEERING VW with servicing.

+2

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js componants - 29-Dec-10 21:59 

I agree with the comments. I took my Golf into Martins at Hook because that is where I bought it. I told them I was a retired workshop manager and they still came back with a huge list. I said I will take the car as it is. They put a lot of pressure on me including signing a form to say I was taking a dangerous car away against their wishes. I took the Golf into another VW dealer many miles away and they said there was nothing wrong only that the discs might need replacing in 10,000 miles time. The service indicator had been wrongly set(they said) making the service due ear;ier

+1

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Robbie - 5-Dec-10 19:26 

Im a student and I thought purchasing a VW would save me money in the long run because of their reliability. I had my car for year and it was due a service although I had experienced no problems. So I took it to Martins VW in Camberley and got my car back and that same day warning lights started to pop up. I took it back to them the next day and they wanted me to pay diagnostic fees of £50+. I was then given a reapir bill of £600+ and so I reluctantly paid that thinking that would be it. How I was soo wrong because then another light came on and that cost another £50 to diagnose. This time it was the ABS control unit which needed to be replaced at a cost of £1,200. So from a regular service to almost £2,000 in repair bills what a scam! Dont go anywhere near a VW dealership!!

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Sam - 14-Oct-10 17:01 

Im a student and I thought purchasing a VW would save me money in the long run because of their reliability. I had my car for year and it was due a service although I had experienced no problems. So I took it to Martins VW in Camberley and got my car back and that same day warning lights started to pop up. I took it back to them the next day and they wanted me to pay diagnostic fees of £50+. I was then given a reapir bill of £600+ and so I reluctantly paid that thinking that would be it. How I was soo wrong because then another light came on and that cost another £50 to diagnose. This time it was the ABS control unit which needed to be replaced at a cost of £1,200. So from a regular service to almost £2,000 in repair bills what a scam! Dont go anywhere near a VW dealership!!

-3

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Sam - 14-Oct-10 15:22 

Im a student and I thought purchasing a VW would save me money in the long run because of their reliability. I had my car for year and it was due a service although I had experienced no problems. So I took it to Martins VW in Camberley and got my car back and that same day warning lights started to pop up. I took it back to them the next day and they wanted me to pay diagnostic fees of £50+. I was then given a reapir bill of £600+ and so I reluctantly paid that thinking that would be it. How I was soo wrong because then another light came on and that cost another £50 to diagnose. This time it was the ABS control unit which needed to be replaced at a cost of £1,200. So from a regular service to almost £2,000 in repair bills what a scam! Dont go anywhere near a VW dealership!!

-1

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Sam - 14-Oct-10 12:43 

I took my car into ********* in Camberley for a routine service. When I got my car back an array of problems magically appeared which to fix I was quoted £1500+. I will not be going to them ever again AVOID AT ALL COST!!!

0

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Unknown - 14-Oct-10 12:25 

the national advert that volkswagen is pushing a service for £119.00 what a rip of all you get is a visual check around the car ... and an oil and filter change
oil cost them less than a pound and an oil filter is around the £2.00 mark the amount they buy
so in essence you are paying £119.00 for an oil and filter change which kwik fit will do im sure for under £30.00 a tidy little profit for volkwagen no wonder they can afford to advertise it nationally what a rip off avoid main dealers for servcing at all costs find an independent garage or a national chain like kwik fit who will service totally for way less than what volkswagen are charging

-2

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zetec73 - 16-Sep-10 21:06 

Well, here's one that will make you smile! My son in law bought a used vw golf from a crap dealer, sorry car dealer in Blackburn. I checked the car over and said it was not worth the money, I didn't need to get underneath to give it a proper inspection, due to me saying don't buy.
The son in law had to buy it as he needed a car for work, and he told me he could resell it if it didn't work out. Well guess what? it used a sump full of engine oil in less than a week, and had a cold start problem. Of course the 3 coil springs needed replacement along with some impact damage which made the car steer to the left by itself. When he decided to sell it I told my son in law to tell the potential customers exactly all the faults and the low asking price would compensate the buyer. The vehicle was sold, I asked said son in law did you tel the new owner of the faults, he said that the new owner said it was great and drove really well. It was a local VW DEALER MECHANIC who bought the car!!!!!!!!

0

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Babbaloveshine - 23-Aug-10 21:43 

Do not go to any VW garage. We were quoted stupid prices at a VW garage for parts/repairs we didn't really need. Do not go to the VW garage in Colindale, North West London. RIP OFF.

-6

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vp - 30-Jul-10 18:50 

Totally agree with Wingman
Took the VW in to Martins for a free check up
Ended up with estimates for £600 plus
Nothing more than a sales tool to bring in more Revenue to Martins
VW should audit their service centres and stop this
Who do you think is reliable for vw servicing in Camberley?

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Top Talent - 27-Jul-10 07:47 

I had the same experience with my Golf, 6 years ago when the dealership was Whites. I kept getting a screaching sound when I was doing a sharp left turn. Initially they couldnt find anything wrong, then I had a call from them to say that the front disk brakes and pads needing replacing as they were corroded. This would cost me over £500 .The car was only 2 years old with a very low mileage which they said was the reason for the corroding, it hadnt been used enough. When I said why cant it be done under the warranty they said it was wear tear and not covered, which is a contridiction in itself. So I told them not to touch the car and I went round to pick it up. I took it to my usual garage, Vulcan Motors in Sandhurst (briliant garage can highly recommend ) where I used to take my prevoius car. They looked at it, took a wire brush to the corrosion and charged me £50. Nothing wrong with the brakes at all.

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Gill Stanley - 14-Jun-10 12:37 

I was told last May, following an MOT and service on our 3-year-old Golf at Martins VW Camberley, that the brake pads were worn and the rear lower arm bushes cracking, both as advisory items. I requested that they be repaired, and was told they had been. In October, Martins phoned and asked if I'd had the advisory items done, and I pointed out that they had been done on the day they were diagnosed. Martins confirmed on the phone that this was the case. Today, a year later, I have just had the car MOTed elsewhere, and was given an advisory for worn brake pads; they had clearly not been replaced last year. On returning to Martins, I was told that neither pads nor cracking arms were on the invoice. I agree I should have checked this, but foolishly, in retrospect, took the word of an expensive franchised dealership. They said they'd check the job card, but then returned and said it couldn't ve found. I was quoted £200 for replacing pads and discs (which were apparently 'lipped and worn'). When I suggested a reduction might be in order, bearing in mind I had been driving a car for a year believing that it had new brake pads, a VW man at the neighbouring desk, who had overheard, suggested that in fact the quote should have been for £250, and so I was already being offered a reduction. This web of evasion and varying quotations led me to take the car to a local non-franchised VW specialist garage for a second opinion. I was told that the discs are fine and that it would be extremely rare for them to need replacing after 44000 miles. I was quoted £80 total for replacing the brake pads with original VW parts. I am appalled by the apparent lack of concern by Martins, and very disappointed after so many years of VW ownership.

0

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SA - 10-May-10 13:08 

Are you sure this is correct from camaberely VW? I like them alot much better than Maidenhead branch that are snotty and big headed I am going in for a free ecu checking up on saturday at camberley. The thing is I live in maidenhead but got to camberely .

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emmacollege - 22-Oct-09 12:38 

VW are now money pits which is a real shame, their old cars were built much better.

I have had Wayside in Towcester and Leicester VW try and charge me for parts covered by the waranty. My 2005 GT TDI mk5 Golf is constantly going wrong.

Take all issues up with VW customer services because the stealers are all cowboys and simply don't care.

Also before taking your car in for repairs ring the waranty company directly to check a component is covered.

I would also reccomend getting an independant diagnosis before taking your car anywhere near a VW dealer for £45 you can avoid being raped.

-1

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Ross - 14-Jul-09 11:28 

Reading the above VW gripes one thing is crystal clear, which I was fortunate enough to pick up on very quickly. Don't try to resolve problems with VW dealers, generally speaking you won't get very far. Go direct to VW Customer Services and take up the problems with them. I had one helpful dealer and one not so helpful but CS sorted it out for me. Try it!

0

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Vdoubleu. - 6-May-09 16:38 

We took our VW Golf GT TDI To Martins in Camberley, They charge us a fortune to diagnose and replace a door lock and then investigate a problem with the Sat Nav, (loose connection?) then proeceeded to tell us that we had worn mounting bushes and CV joints. Suggested that it wasn't urgent but needed fixing at some time in the near future. About £350 including labour.
We had a friendly mechanic look at it for us and said there was nothing wrong with the car.
Three months on; we have just had it put through an MOT and it passed with flying colours. Even asked the Engineer afterwards regarding the CV joints that highlighted by Martins VW and he has since told us a few 'horror' stories about them.

We never learnt our lesson as many years ago we had a VW MOT'd at Martins of Camaberley (previously Whites VW) passed our car with two large nails from a black smiths shop. We had a puncture shortly after leaving the garage on the way home.
We complained at the time and they gave us two free new tyres at their expense.

As you can see, we gave them another chance, but clearly they have not changed. That will be the last time we go there.
Service reception staff had an arrogant and dismissive attitude. Could even smile while they were robbing you.
Avoid them at all costs.

-5

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sstevie - 27-Apr-09 18:47 

VW Martins in Camberley avoid at all costs as they are the most corrupt, deceiptful posse I have ever come across.

They taped up a hole in my exhaust, sprayed it silver and charged me for a new part plus labour.

Do yourself a favour and drive past and find a reputable garage with decent staff.

-1

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Niles H. - 6-Mar-09 12:45 

My friend has had a similar experience with this bunch of cowboys - sold him an "approved" Golf with dodgy tyres & leaky water pump. When they eventually replaced the water pump the drivshaft fell of on the way home!!

Cowboys - I'd avoid at all costs!

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Mik - 6-Mar-09 12:35 

I recently took my 2001 Golf GTI to Barnstaple (Devon) VW for a service, they recommended it also had brake fluid change at £46.80. So with some minor parts and quick snagging I got a bill for £281.82. Two weeks later I took it to a local VAG specialist, turns out they clearly hadn't carried out basic service checks and had just syphoned the brake fluid out and replaced it with new stuff rather than bleeding it through properley. I'm fuming... nearly £300 for a brake fluid top-up, basic oil & filter change, £22 worth of parts and about 15 mins labour. Last time I'll ever use a dealer, independent specialists in the future and VW head office are getting a long letter from me!

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Fuming Goose - 16-Feb-09 20:14 

THIS LOCATION IS IN DAVIE, FL (do not go there) volkswagon service Assistant,Manager,head manager are rude and dishonest and not there to help anyone. I need to find another service place for my car.The people there are rude and have no customer service background

-2

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urious with Davie Volkswagen - 8-Dec-08 14:08 

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